..the Americans shout the slogan of negotiations. They impose unilateral sanctions, issue resolutions and make military threats, but at the same time they propose negotiations. They constantly say that they are prepared to negotiate with Iran. None of these actions by the opposing camp are new.

It is a good thing that they are speaking about negotiations. Of course this proposal is not new. In the past, previous US administrations made the same offer, and we have always rejected their offer of negotiations. Of course there are many good reasons for this, but one obvious reason is that negotiations that are conducted under threats and pressures are not in fact negotiations. It is not acceptable if one side of negotiations threatens and pressurizes the other side like imperialists, imposes sanctions and shows an iron fist and at the same time says that the two sides should sit at a table and negotiate. This does not qualify as negotiations. We will not engage in this kind of negotiations with anyone. Therefore, America has always entered the arena of negotiations in this way.

(Ayatollah Khamenei to Government officials -18/08/2010)

Two short-term negotiations experiences with Americans

We also have two short-term experiences in this regard. One is related to the issues of Iraq. I said in a public address that those negotiations were acceptable to us, and our officials went ahead with the negotiations. The other is related to an issue which was described by the Americans as an important security issue in a message. This happened during previous presidential terms. Our government officials participated in two or three rounds of negotiations. In the course of negotiations, the Americans usually resort to bullying whenever they realize that they will lose in a logical argument or whenever they realize that they cannot present an acceptable and logical argument. And because the Islamic Republic is not affected by bullying, they unilaterally call off negotiations. What kind of negotiations is this? We have already been through this. The same thing happened in both cases. Of course I expected this outcome in the former case. From the quality of the negotiations, I could see which direction they were heading in. They used to send me reports of the negotiations. They had held two or three meetings when I told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to put an end to those negotiations. But the Americans unilaterally called off the negotiations before our officials had a chance to take action. This is how they behave. The honorable President and other officials say that we are ready for negotiations. Yes, we are ready for negotiations, but not with America. The reason is that unlike ordinary negotiators, America does not enter into negotiations in an honest fashion. America enters into negotiations the way an imperialist does.

We will not negotiate with any country that makes an imperialist gesture. They should put aside their imperialist tendencies. They should put aside threats. They should put aside sanctions. They should not assume a predetermined outcome for negotiations. Several years ago in a public address in Shiraz, I announced that we have not sworn not to negotiate for ever. We do not negotiate because of the consequences. We do not negotiate just because they are not real negotiators. They only want to bully us. They are like the thug who enters a shop and asks, “How much is this jar of honey?” The shopkeeper replies, “100 tomans.” Then the thug grabs the shopkeeper and twists his arm. The poor shopkeeper is understandably intimidated and says, “The price is whatever you say!” The bully says, “30 tomans.” The shopkeeper says, “30 tomans it is!” What kind of bargaining is this?

(Ayatollah Khamenei to Government officials -18/08/2010)

We make our decisions on the basis of rational calculations

I want to say that there is a logic behind our actions. The Iranian nation has acted logically since the very first day. When we want to make decisions about important issues, we do not act on the basis of our emotions. We do not make emotional decisions. We make our decisions on the basis of rational calculations.

They invite us to negotiate and form relations with them. They shout slogans of change. Where is the change you are talking about? What is it that has changed? Clarify this for us. What is it exactly that has changed? Has your enmity towards the Iranian nation changed? Where are the signs of this change? Have you released the assets of the Iranian nation? Have you lifted the unfair sanctions? Have you stopped slandering, negative propaganda, and allegations against our great nation and its populist government officials? Have you given up your unconditional support for the Zionist regime? What is it that has changed? They only change their slogans while their actions remain the same.

..I would like to tell everybody – including US government officials as well as others – that the Iranian nation will neither be deceived nor intimidated.

(Ayatollah Khamenei speech in Mash’had -21/03/2009)

America should stop bullying

The day America stops being arrogant and interfering in other nations’ affairs, it will be a government just like other governments in the world. We will also consider it an ordinary government. But as long as Americans cherish dreams of returning to their happy days in Iran and as long as they try to dominate us, they will not at all be able to force our nation to retreat. They should know this.

(Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech to students on the national day of fighting global arrogance -03/11/2009)

The Sayyid is a network of interested people in
Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei’s personality and
thoughts.
The Sayyid network works as a source for people
generated materials regarding ideas and personality
of Ayatollah Khamenei.
The Sayyid network provides general understanding
of Ayatollah Khamenei’s intellectual contributions on
the socio-political, religious, economical, and cultural
issues.